Musical Theatre Intensive NYC

The UM Theatre Program recently participated in a 3-Day Invited Musical Theatre Intensive in NYC, January 13-15, 2011, with the Amy Murphy Studio in Birmingham/NYC. 11 UM Theatre majors were involved including 3 first year students, as well as 3 alumni living in NYC. Overall, there were 33 participants including students from other theatre programs around the US and several other young professionals living in NYC.

The students had a variety of workshops including two sessions with actors who have recently appeared in Broadway musicals, Christopher Jackson and Hunter Ryan Herdlicka (IN THE HEIGHTS and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC respectively). Both actors talked to them about building a career in the arts and in NYC, and then worked on their songs. They also had a “question and answer” session with actress Jenn Collela who has appeared in many Broadway musicals and TV work as well.

The rest of the 3 day intensive consisted of auditions, including a dance audition from OKLAHOMA! , which guest artist Parker Esse recently choreographed at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. (Esse has also worked as an Associate Choreographer on several recent B’way productions). They also received coaching tips in how to approach a dance audition and feedback on their work from three choreographers.

UM students also participated in two vocal/monologue auditions for panels of up to 12 guests including choreographers, directors, casting directors, agents and a representative from Interscope records. They received written feedback and suggestions on their work and also had verbal follow up sessions with NYC casting director/producer Dave Clemmons; director Chan Harris and Choreographer Jacob Toth.

All of the students were able to stay with UM theatre alums in the city or with actors they know from their own summer theatre work out of state, which also helped them experience what it’s like to really live, work and audition in NYC (snow and all!).